MDC vs. St. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

Compare Miami Dade College in Miami, FL with St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Miami Dade College is larger than St. Thomas University based on total student enrollment (58,941 students vs. 7,652 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Miami Dade College is located in Miami, FL (Large City setting); St. Thomas University is in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Miami Dade College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Miami Dade College 22:1; St. Thomas University 17:1.

MDC vs. St. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MDC or St. Thomas University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Miami Dade College than St. Thomas University ($5,766 vs. $27,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Thomas University are 51.5% lower than at Miami Dade College ($13,210 vs. $27,262).
• St. Thomas University is 1,125.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MDC (about $31,932 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $2,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 259.9% higher at St. Thomas University than at Miami Dade College (about $25,109 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $9,661.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas University than at Miami Dade College (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 223.7% larger than aid received by Miami Dade College students ($23,356 vs. $7,216).

MDC vs. St. Thomas University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MDC or St. Thomas University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St. Thomas University and MDC.

• Miami Dade College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MDC - Open admission; St. Thomas University - Test-free.

MDC vs. St. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MDC and St. Thomas University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from St. Thomas University earn a median of about $22,300 more per year than MDC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Miami Dade College graduates have a $14,050 lower median loan debt than St. Thomas University graduates ($8,703 vs. $22,753).
• Among borrowers, MDC graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Thomas University graduates ($89 vs. $235).
• More St. Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MDC students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 41%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.